The Origins of the Armenian Alphabet and Literature, Fr. Krikor Maksoudian (softcover)

The early fifth-century invention of the Armenian alphabet is a major turning point in the history of the Armenian people, yet much of the information readily available on it in English is contradictory and confusing. Modern writers have ascribed all kinds of motives ranging from evangelization to socioeconomic, cultural, and other secular factors to the invention. Some authors have been asserted that there was some kind of writing system for Armenian before the adoption of Christianity. This volume is based on the historical sources for the invention. It views it within the context of the accompanying dramatic political events of the division of the kingdom of Armenia and the history of the Armenian Church, and presents the main personalities associated with the invention and the spread of literacy. It portrays the foundation of the consequent literary tradition that made the Bible accessible in Armenian, preserved many important works of the Classical worlds  in Armenian translation, and created much of the basis of Armenian cultural identity for centuries to come.